Phyllida Lloyd's biographical drama, which stars Streep as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, took over £2.1 million over the weekend, nearly three times what The Queen took when it opened in 2006.

As well as ruling the UK box office, The Iron Lady - which also stars Jim Broadbent as husband Denis and Olivia Colman as daughter Carol - is already a hit in Australia and Spain.

The controversial film, which was written by The Hours' Abi Morgan, is set to open in the US on January 13, having had a technical release on December 30 to qualify for the Oscars.